Reinforced concrete pipe



y 8, 1952 w. A. WHlTlNG 2,602,469

REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed NOV. 4, 1946 July 8, 1952 w. A. WHlTlNG REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed NOV. 4, 1946 M4. 4 m I w W W v. fii... g.

Patented July 8, 1952 [j UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Q f 2,602,469 '7 T I I BEINFOR-CED'CONCBETE PIPE William AQWhitin Long Beach, Calif., assignor to. American Pipe and Construction 00., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation'of Delaware Application November 4, 1946, Serial No. li07,668

"The present; invention relates topipes composed predominantly of concrete or other cementi-tious materials.

@Asis -,well known, cement or concrete has a much greater strength in' compression than in tension. :In concrete pipe having bell and spigot ends, the spigot portion is ordinarily in compressionqwhile .the'bell portion is intension. Accordingly, it oftentimeswbecomes necessary to provide metal reinforcements in the bell portion to ob- I tain sufiicient strength for withstanding the tensile and bursting stresses to which it is subjected: ,The obtaining of a leakproof or impervious pipe section embodying a metal or ring-shaped reinforcing band has been diiiicult, because of the formation of a poor bond. between the band and concrete; This is true of centrifugally cast-pipe, in which air and excess water are forced to the inner surface of the pipe for withdrawal. When it is desired to provide concrete around'the metal band portion of thebell end of the pipe, the air and; water are entrapped between the outer surfaee-of-the band and the concrete, producing a space after the concrete has set and hardened through which liquid flowing through the pipe can escape to its exterior.

Entrapment-of the excess air and water also reducesthe unit strength of' the cementitious mass,;requiring a compensating increasein the diameter andthickness of the bell end of the pipe to obtain adequate total strength;.at an attendantsubstantial increase in the quantity ofmaterials used an'dcost of production.- a

Accordingly, it becomes an object of the pres ent invention to provide a reinforced concrete pipestructure in which a good bond is obtained between the reinforcement and the cemetitious material, thereby precluding leakage of fluidalong the reinforcement andthrough the pipe W311,

A further object of the invention is-toprovide a bell and spigotreinforced concrete pipe construction inwhich the hardened concrete has high'unit strength, enabling the employment of smaller diameter bell ends capable of withstanding relativelyhigh transverse tensile and bursting stresses. 7

Another object of the invention is to provide a reinforcing bandin concrete pipe of such shape asv to permit the withdrawal of entrapped air and water during production of the pipe, thus providing a dense, compact concrete structure throughout the, entire pipe section, and particularly inthe region of itscontac't with the reinforcing band: r v

I 7 Claims. (01. 1ss-s4) 2 V Another object of concrete pipe section which so disposed as to insurethat the concrete will be dense and com-.

pact following its setting andhardening.

Yet aifurther' object of the invention is to provide amethod of forming a reinforced'concrete pipe which comparatively air and water-free concrete mass on the exterior of a reinforcin Iband,'as wellsas onitsinterior.

Still another object of section to be substantiallycompleted while in the centrifugal apparatus-very little finishing being required subsequent to performance of the centrifugal operation.

The invention is exemplified in the following description and illustratedby way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a pipe section preparatory to its removal from a form in which it has been centrifugally cast.

Fig. 2 is a partial longitudinal section through the mating bell and spigot "portions of adjacent pipe sections.'- I r v I a Fig. 3 is a transverse section through an ap-* paratus for centrifugally casting concrete pipe pre-stres scd reinforcingrods Ii] running long'itudi'nallythere'through.

As described in my Patent 2,477,533 for Pipe Joint]? a groove H is provided in the periphery of the spigot, containin a gasket l2 adapted to seal against an inclined or'tapered surface l3 and shoulder 14 in the bell portion of the ad-' jacent pipe section, and more particularly in its reinforcing bell band I5.

The bellband has an outer tapered guiding portion I6 diverging toward its free end and merging into a generally cylindrical portion l I of a larger internal diameter than the adjacent end of the spigot. The inner end of the cylindrical surface merges into the tapered or frusto-, conical wedge face I3 converging inwardly of the pipe or conduit toward its axis, and providing a the invention is to provide pro-stressed or tensioned reinforcements in a.

assures the production of ac0mpact,

the. invention resides in the provision of a method for centrifugally cast-: ing concrete pipe, which permits theentire pipe sealing surface for the gasket l2. The small diameter end of this tapered sealing surface I3 terminates in the internal shoulder 14 formed by an outer, inwardly projecting flange l8 on the bell band l5.

From the outer flange Hi, the bell bandconverges inwardly toward an intermediate internal flange 18, from which 'it diverges longitudinally of the pipe to an inner inwardly projecting flange 20. The converging and diverging portions 2|, 22 of the band provide relatively high strength in the steel reinforcing band and insure removal of entrapped air and water during the centrifugal casting of the pipe in a moulding ma-, chine. Removal of the excess, undesired fluent substances results from the shape of the bell band portions 2 I, 22. The end shoulder 23 on the inner flange 20 is at right angles to or is inclined slightly toward the intermediate flange l9, intersecting a flat or slightly rounded surface 24 on the inner face of the inner flange. The other shoulder 25 of theinner flange isalso formed substantially at right "angles to the axis of the pipe or inclined slightly thereto. :The inner face' 26 of the inner por'tion 22 of the band converges inwardly in curved fashion from the'inner flange 20 toward the intermediate flange l9, merging into a shoulder 21 on one side of the intermediate flange is substantially at right angles to the conduit axis.

The intermediate flange shoulder '21 intersects an inner flange surface 28 substantially parallel to the pipe axis, which surface, however, may be formed slightly curved .or convex. The

inner surface 29 of the outer bell band portion 2! between the intermediate and outer flanges l9, I8 is curved outwardly to provide a divergent surface running from the flange surface 28 to a shoulder 30 on the outer flange 18.

The outer faces 3|, 32 of the band are generally parallel to the inner faces 29, 26 and taper inwardly toward one another to form a groove or channel-shaped pocket 33' whose purpose will be later explained. A plurality of holes 34' are provided in the'outer band portion 2! in communication with the annular pocket 33, to' enable the drainage or evacuation of entrapped air and water'therefrom.

The centrifugal casting of the 'above described reinforced concrete pipe section is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3. A pipe form 35 is provided with the general external shape of the pipe section desired; One end 36 is smaller in diameter than theother end 31 to providethe spigot and bell ends, respectively, of the pipe section. The spigot end of the form carries an end ring or sleeve 38 extending into the outer form member 35 and internally shaped to provide the required complemental exterior on the spigot end of the pipe. An elastic filler ring 39 is placed in the end ring to shape the gasket groove II in the spigot end upon introduction of concrete into the form. v

The bell band i is inserted in proper position in the other end of-the form. Its outer end engages a retainer ring 40 secured to the pipe form by screws 4| or the like. This retainer ring 40 prevents movement of thev band in one longitudinal direction outwardly of the form. The band is held and urged in the other longitudinal direction toward the end ring 38 by a plurality of circumferentially spaced tie rods or bolts l0 suitably secured to the intermediate band flange H], as by Welding material 42, and extending completely through the pipe form and 4 through the end ring 38 where tension is applied to them by tightening nuts 43 threaded on their ends against the exterior of the end ring.

Longitudinal movement of the bell band [5 toward the end ring 38 is prevented by engagement of circularly spaced lugs or supporting abutments 44 with the outer faces 3|, 32 of the band in the region of its groove 33. These supporting abutments are secured rigidly to the pipe form by bushings 45a. extending through the forms and threaded into the abutments. It is apparent that tightening of the bolt nuts 43 to pre-tension the rods l8 cannot move the bell band 45, because of the restraint imposed by the rigid supporting abutments 44.

An end retainer ring 45 conforming to the 'desired end shape of the concrete within the bell band, is inserted in place within the bell band I5. The inward position of this member is limited by engagement of its outer flange 46 with a filler gasket or ring 41 contacting the shouder or flange l8 in the band. Its outward movement is prevented by a plurality'of circularly spaced hollow bolts or tubes 48 inserted through andengaging the ring 45 and extending in an 'inclined'direction outwardly of the axis of the pipe towardthe bell band groove 33, where the hollow tubes are'threaded into the band holes 34 communicating with the external peripheral band groove. It apparent that with this arrangement 'the retainer ring 45 is prevented from moving out of the bell band I5, the latter, as aforementioned, being held in place by the supporting abutments 44 and the pre-stressed tie rods I8.

For the purpose of evacuating the bell band groove 33, a passage 49 may be formed through each supporting abutment 44, communicating with a passage 50 in each bushing 45a. A suction device'is attached to the head 5| of each bushing, consisting of a tubular L-shaped member 52 threaded thereinto and communicating with the bushing passage 50. The member 52 extends into the throat portion 53 of a venturi suction device 54 whose convergent inlet 55 can scoop air during rotation of the pipe form 35 and force it through the throat 53 and around the rea'rwardly facing outlet 56 of the L-shaped membehcreating a suction eifect in the member ".52 capable of aspirating or evacuating fluent materials, such as air and water, from the groove 33, withdrawing them through the passageways 49, 50 into the venturi 54, from which they are discharged at its rearward end.

The assembly described is mounted on a suitable centrifugal casting apparatus which may include a pair of rollers 51, 58 mounted on agsuitable base 59 and engaging spaceddriverings 60 on the exterior of the pipe form 35. One of the rollers 58 is rotated in order to frictionally drive the pipe'form 35 and the entire mechanism at the proper speed. Rotary movement is imparted tothe roller 58 by a suitable electric motor 61v and intervening driving pulley 62, belt 63 and driven pulley 64. 4

The assembled apparatus is placed on the roller supports and is rotated in a suitable direction, such as the clockwise direction illustrated in Fig; 3. Concrete is introduced in the interior of the apparatus by any suitable means, as by hand or by a trough feeder or screw conveyor (both not shown). Centrifugal force incident to rotation of the assembly forces the concrete or other cementitious mix in an outward direction to compact it against the pipe form 35 and v against all other surfaces within the pipe form. Since it is necessaryto employ an excess of water in the-inixture'to attain the necessary plas-' I ticity, such excess water and'any' entrapped air are forced inwardly, passing inagenerally radial direction through the concrete mass in the form toward: the axis ofthe pipe-appearing as a film of air and water on the inner surface'of the concrete,. from where it is removed by a suitable tool. The'excess water-and air are prevented from being entrapped on the exterior of the bell band I 5 by'reason of. its tapered external surfaces 3!. 32 which are inclined inwardly toward the collecting annular groove or channel'33 adjacent the intermediate flange l9. The air and water flow inwardly to the band I5 and along its exteriorfaces 31, 32 to the annular groove 33, from which they are removed by flowing through the evacuator tubes $8 attached tothe retainer ring 45=or by reason of the suction or aspirating effect of theair forced through the Venturi nozzles 54, which create a suction. effect in their throat portions 53 capable of pulling the air and water from the groove 33, through the passages 49', 5B

and L-shaped members 52., for discharge from the Venturi outlet ends. Part of the excess fluent substances in the end portion of the concrete mass passes outwardly through the holes or notches E5 in the retainer ring 40. I

Excess water and air in the concrete mass within the band 15. flows radially inward to the inner surface of the concrete pipe body. A portion of such flow proceeds along the inner faces 26, 29. of the bell band to the intermediate flange l9, from which it passes inwardly to the inner surface of the concrete mass.

After suflicient concrete has been placed in the form, the inner surface may be finished by trowcling. Following the setting the concrete, the nuts 43, screws 4!, bushings 45a and evacuator tubes 38 may be unscrewed from the tie rods it, retainer ring Ml, abutments 44 and bell band l5, respectively, to permit the retainer rings 45,45, end ring 38- and pipe form 35 to be removed from the cast concrete pipe. Thereafter, the tapered supporting abutments M may be moved laterally from their embedded positions in the concrete and the filler rings expand'ed'from the formed spigot gasketgroove The holes left by the hollow tubes and supporting abutments M are then filled in-with grout or neat cement. V 1 1 It is to'be noted that the curved inner face 29 between the outer flange l8 and intermediate flange l9 enables the water and entrapped air and slurry particles which might otherwise tend to collect and adhere to the interior of the bell band to drain toward the intermediate flange l9 and then move inwardly to the inner surface of the concrete. The inner face 26 of the other bell band portion 22 also provides a means along which drainage can take place to the intermediate flange l9. Not only do these curved portions provide for the drainage and collection of the undesired water, air and other fluent substances that might be present, but they collectively form the intermediate flange i3, which increases the section modulus of the band at a critical point without a corresponding increase in the weight of the steel or other material from which the band is made.

The space between the intermediate flange l9 and outer flange Hi is filled with concrete, providing an internal'support for the bell band. This portion ofthe concrete terminates adjacent and hardening of ltion, as well as eliminating porosity in the con- 6 the inner end 30 of the'outer flange Hi to avoid the presence of makes a good seal therewith because of there moval of the excess air and water-to thedrainage groove -33, from which it is allevacuated.

Unless some means for drainage were provided,

all of the excess air and water would have to band through which subsequent fluid leakage could occur. In addition, a large'portion' of the air and water in the concrete mass on the exterior of the band, and other fluent materials, would flow longitudinally along the exterior of thebell band to the inner flange 20, passing around the latter radially inward to the inner surface of the Such large concentration of unooncrete mass.

desired substances m the concrete mass adjacent the end 23 0f the inner flange would result in aporous region through sequently conducted'through the pipe could-flow.

From this porous region, the liquids could pass' through the undesired space along the bell band exterior to the outside .of the pipe, resulting in an imperfect, leaky pipe section.

The shapes provided on the outer faces3l, 32

of the band, coupled with the drainage of the groove-33, obviate the need for migrationof the water and air longitudinally of the'bell hand and around the inner flange 20 before it can escape radially to the interior of the pipe. Instead, air and water is removed through the'groove 33, resulting in a dense and compact concrete 'struc'- ture on the exterior of the bell band, making a firm seal therewith and along which leakage can not occur. 7 p a It has been foud that the pre-tensioned tie rods '10 actually result in a much stronger pipe structure since they provide much greater compactness eration. The compactness incident-tothe use of the pre-stre'ssed or pre-tensioned tie rods places the concrete mass under compression and provides for much greater strength in the pipe seccrete material itself.

In the form of invention 61 for the gasket ring 12. This band 66 is placed in the form and has the tie rods Illa extending from the bell band l5 secured to it in any suitable manner, as by welding. The tie rods lOa are tensioned by bolts 68 secured to a ring 69 fitting within the gasket groove 61, the nuts 10 on the boltsbeing tightened against the end retainer member H to produce the necessary tension in the tie rods Illa. The concrete is introduced into the rotating form in the same manner as in connection with the other embodiment, excess water and air escaping and being withdrawn in It is, therefore, apparent that reinforced conv crete pipes and methods of producing the same have been provided which insure the deposition of a dense and compact concrete mass on the any feather edge in the concrete. The concrete on the exterior of the bell band which liquids subto the concrete during the casting' opg disclosedin Fig. 4', the spigot endof the pipe section also has a band 66 cast therein providedwith ametallic-groove described exterior of the reinforcing band or bands, thereby providing greater strength to the pipe section. Moreover, the concrete mass is in compression in view of. the pre-stressed tie rods 10 or Illa placed in the concrete mass, which also add to the strength of the entire pipe section. It is further to be noted that the shape of the bell band [5 increases its strength, and insures drainage and removal of excess air and water from the plastic cement or concrete slurry, resulting in a good bond and seal between the concrete and the bell band and the production of a leak-proof pipe section.

'While I have shown and described preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes may be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit'of the invention'as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A conduit, including a tubular body of cementitious material, a reinforcing band in said body having an outer face inclined inwardly of the body toward the longitudinal axis of said body, said band having passages therethrough at the region-where its outer face is closest to the body axis.

2.'A conduit, including a tubular body of cementitious material, a reinforcing band encased in said body and having an intermediate substantially radially inwardly projecting flange, said bandcomprising portions diverging in opposite longitudinal directions from said flange to provide an annular groove therebetween around said flange.

.3; A conduit, including a tubular body of cementitious material, a reinforcing band encased in said body and having spaced outer, intermediate and inner substantially radially inwardly projecting flanges, said band comprising portions diverging in opposite longitudinal directions from said intermediate flange toward said outerand inner flanges, the cementitious body material extending along and inwardly of said band portions.

. 4. A conduit, including a tubular body of cementitious material, a reinforcing band in said body and having spaced outer, intermediate and inner substantially radially inwardly projecting flanges, said band having an inner sealing surface forward of said outer flange adapted for engagement bya sealring, said band further comprising portions diverging in opposite longitudi- 8. nal directions from said intermediate flange toward said outer and inner flanges, the cementitious body material extending substantially entirely along the exterior of said band and also along the interiorof said band portions.

- 5. A conduit; including a tubular body of cementitious material, a reinforcing band encased in said body and having an intermediate substantially radially inwardly projecting flange,-

said band comprising portions diverging in opposite longitudinal directions from said flange to provide an annular groove therebetween around said flange, said band having passages therethrough communicating with said groove.

6. A conduit, including a tubular body of cementitious material, a reinforcing band encased in'said body and having an intermediate substantially radially inwardly projecting flange,

said'band comprising portions diverging in opposite directions from said flange to provide an annular groove therebetween around said flange, and longitudinally extending tensioned reinforcing members embedded in said body and secured to said flange.

7. A- conduit, including a tubular body of cementitious material, a reinforcing band encased in said body and having an intermediate substantially radially inwardly projecting flange, said band comprising portions diverging inopposite longitudinal directions from said flange, and reinforcing rods secured to the inwardly projecting flange and extending longitudinally of the conduit.

' WILLIAM A. WHITING.

REFERENCES CITED The. following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 958,043 Stockley May 1'7, 1910 2,044,178 McMullin June 16, 1936 2,081,313 Ukropina May 25, 1937 2,102,968 Overvad Dec. 21, 1937 2,216,896 'Irickey Oct. 8, 1940 2,224,419 Whitman Dec. 10, 1940 2,236,107 Miller et a1 Mar. 25, 1941 2,236,108 Miller et al.- Mar. 25, 1941 2,296,560 MacKinnon Sept. 22, 1942 2,325,469 Boissou July 27, 1943 2,348,477 Jenkins 4 May 9, 1944 2,470,009 Wilhelm May 10, 1949 

